I was recently a guest lecturer at Stony Brook University sharing my knowledge of trading and trader development with interested students. At the end of my lecture, a student approached and asked, “How can I improve my trading consistency?” We have polled our trading community for the top trading issues they would like to solve, and trading consistency consistently makes … Read More
5 ways our top traders are working to improve
I was on the West Coast last month to present to the Scottsdale (Phoenix) Traders and Investors Meetup Group. After my presentation, an astute and succeeding retail trader approached and asked, “What do your top traders do to improve?” At SMB, our top traders have been homegrown. We hired them. Trained them from scratch. Provided capital, technology, coaching and … Read More
Bring a consistent you to markets to improve your trading
Trader wants to improve his trading consistency. (Please assume Trader has some edge in markets.) Trader might double down on their efforts to perform better during market hours. If I just focus better. If I just take only A+ trades. If I just wait for my trades more patiently. If I just use this indicator. If I just size … Read More
Journey of a Successful Retail Trader: Crossing 100k in Trading Profits
Last month on Twitter, I spotted this tweet and impressive equity curve from a developing retail trader: As the managing partner of a proprietary trading firm in NYC, I study traders succeeding. This retail trader is succeeding! I reached out and asked him a few questions (in bold), hoping to learn from his success. Below are his answers. Who are … Read More
How do I start as a trader?
Recently I visited Pace University investment club to talk about the life of a proprietary trader. We make an effort to reach out to college trading clubs and college investment clubs and meet their members. Some of our best traders have come from these clubs. Also, college students rarely get to interact with a professional trader so sharing our experience … Read More
8 lessons from the prop desk (The 2017 TradersExpo NYC)
At the 2017 TradersExpo in NYC, I shared 8 lessons from our prop desk. As a partner at a prop trading firm in NYC, I have the privilege of watching many traders grow from new to consistently profitable trader to high performing trader to even better. I see how they succeed and why. I share their obstacles and together we … Read More
5 inspirations from Dr. Steenbarger’s Master Class
Yesterday I posted 21 key takeaways from Dr. Steenbarger’s recent Master Class at the TradersExpo. During the introduction of the Master Class Dr. Steenbarger challenged us to write down our goal for our time with him. I wrote, “To be inspired with ideas to teach and train our guys better!” He promised not to stop teaching until each of … Read More
The danger of the overconfident trader
Yesterday I wrote about a trader struggling with added size and risk. In seeking a solution for this trader one possible area of focus was overconfidence. How does it happen? Why is it dangerous? What can we do to combat overconfidence? You trade well. You are seeing screens well and the market is trading in a way that allows your … Read More